Pages

Thursday, December 27, 2012

There are
several types of skin tumors that affect dogs.Most of these are benign.However, there are also some malignant tumors that can affect dogs.

The benign
tumors are usually slow growing, soft, and free moving; meaning that you can
grasp them and move them around under the skin.Benign tumors include: skin tags, warts, moles, and lipomas.The skin tags, warts, and moles look similar
to the ones we get.They are unsightly,
but harmless.Lipomas are fatty tumors
that are very slow growing and soft.They are very common in older, overweight dogs.They typically don’t cause any problems
unless they are located in an area that restricts movement; such as under a
front limb.

The most common
malignant tumors that are found under the skin are Mast Cell Tumors and
Osteosarcomas.Both of these tumors are
usually fast growing, hard, and attached to the tissue under the skin.

Mast Cell tumors
are very common and can be found in all breeds.However, Boxers, Beagles, and Boston Terriers are the breeds most
commonly affected.These tumors can be
found anywhere on the body, but are often found on the limbs.They can change shape and size very rapidly.These tumors are made up of cells that the
body uses to respond to inflammation and allergies.These tumors can release high amounts of the
cells into the dogs body and cause damage to the internal organs.Some mast cells remain localized, but others
can metastasize to other regions of the body.It is very important to have these tumors removed and sent for a biopsy
to determine the malignancy and risk to the dog’s overall health.

Osteosarcomas
are bone tumors.These tumors are highly
malignant.They are most commonly seen
at the elbow, wrist, or shoulder.However, any bone can be affected.Limping on the affected limb is usually the first symptom.However, often times the tumor isn’t noticed
until it become visible.At the point
that it is visible, there is a 90% chance that it has already metastasized to
another area of the body, usually the lungs.Treatment of osteosarcoma is very aggressive and usually involves
chemotherapy or radiation.

In conclusion,
although there are many types of skin tumors that are benign, it is important
to have all tumors examined by your veterinarian, so that treatment of malignant
tumors can begin as soon as possible.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Fatty liver,
also known as hepatic lipidosis, is the most common liver disease in cats.When the body is in starvation mode, it
quickly shifts fat cells to the liver.It does this so that the liver can convert the fat into lipoproteins for
energy.However, the cat’s liver is not
very good at converting these fat cells.So, the fat accumulates in the liver.As the fat builds up, the liver starts to lose its ability to function.

The liver has
many jobs in the body.These include:
detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals used in
digestion.The liver also helps break
down red blood cells and produces clotting factors to aid in blood
clotting.Because of its many jobs, when
the liver starts to fail, you will see several symptoms.

Hepatic
lipidosis is usually caused by a cat’s loss of appetite.This can be caused by illness (such as
diabetes or kidney disease), stress, extreme diet restrictions by owners, or
being lost.

The most obvious
symptom is yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes.This is referred to as jaundice in people,
but is referred to as icterus in animals.Other symptoms include: anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, neurologic
symptoms, and depression.

The most
important treatment is prevention by paying close attention to your cat’s
eating habits.If your cat loses its
appetite, it is important to discover the underlying cause and get it treated
before the liver starts to deteriorate.Hepatic
lipidosis can be life threatening, so the earlier treatment is started, the
higher chance of your cat’s liver recovering.

Friday, December 7, 2012

There are a wide range of causes of liver disease in dogs.The most common causes are:

Bacterial infection

Viral Infection- Most common in unvaccinated puppies

Toxins-Most common are insecticides and arsenic

Drugs- Most common are NSAIDS used to treat arthritis

Tumors

Early symptoms of liver disease include: weight loss,
loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.In most cases, if the underlying cause of the
liver damage is found and treated during this early stage, then the liver will heal
and return to normal function.

Symptoms of liver failure include: icterus (yellowing of
the eyes or gums), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), spontaneous
bleeding, and neurologic symptoms (disorientation, head-pressing, dullness, and
seizures).Once the liver has advanced
to the stage of liver failure, the chances of regaining liver function are very
slim.However, many dogs can survive
with treatment, such as IV fluids, medications, and a special diet.

The most important factor in liver disease is to prevent
the underlying causes by having your puppy properly vaccinated, keeping your
pet away from potential toxins, and using therapeutic drugs according to your
veterinarian’s instructions.Additionally, if you suspect that your pet has been exposed to toxins or
has overdosed on NSAIDS, it is important to seek treatment as early as
possible.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

For a limited time, my young adult western BOUNTY HUNTER: THE BEGINNING is only $0.99!BOOK DESCRIPTION:

After his father’s tragic death, sixteen-year old
Ben Sharp is living a life of solitude in a one room cabin in the woods.He is lonely and restless but cannot see a
way to change his situation.His life
takes an unexpected turn the day two horse thieves ride up leading a stolen
stallion.When the two outlaws attempt
to rob him, Ben is able to turn the tables.His successful capture of the men opens up his world to the life of the
bounty hunter.Ben sets out on a journey
that will transform him from a boy into a man.This coming of age tale is full of action, adventure, humor, and
romance.

BOUNTY HUNTER: THE BEGINNING is the first book in the Bounty Hunter series.

Seizures in pets can be caused by a number of underlying
issues.The most common causes are:

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Kidney Failure

Liver Failure

Toxins- Insecticides, chocolate, and antifreeze

Brain Tumors

Heat Stroke

Encephalitis- Inflammation of the brain usually caused by
an infection such as Distemper

Hyperglycemia

There are several types of seizures.A grand mal seizure usually begins with a
period of altered behavior such as staring, restlessness, and crying out.This is followed by the symptoms we usually
associate with seizures, such as loss of consciousness, paddling, urinating,
and defecating.This part of the seizure
usually only lasts 1-2 minutes.It is
followed by a period of confusion and incoordination.

Seizures can also be localized in the brain and cause a
more localized reaction such as muscle twitching, blinking, and chomping.

Diagnosis is often made based on historical information,
such as exposure to toxins, age of the animals, recent illness, etc.Blood work will also be done to check for
liver function, kidney function, and blood sugar levels.

During the seizure, the first impulse is to reach out and
comfort your pet by talking to him and petting him.However, it is best to turn out the lights,
keep quiet, and not to touch him.Sensory input can prolong the seizure.This includes the period of disorientation that follows the main part of
the seizure.Once the seizure has ended,
it is important to get your pet to a veterinary for a diagnosis.

Treatment is usually based on treating the underlying
problem.For epilepsy, the treatment is
based on the frequency and severity of the seizures.It is important to keep track of when
seizures occur and how long they last.

FTC disclaimer: All books reviewed by Tinerbooks have been given to us free of charge by the publisher/author for thepurpose of review. We do not receive compensation for the review. All reviews contain our honest opinions. We doparticipate in the Amazon Affiliate program. Therefore, if a book is purchased through the link on our site, we willreceive a small referral fee from Amazon.